Taekwondo- competition?

[Anonymous]

At what age and level do kids start to compete with kids from other TKD schools?
Which schools encourage / prepare their students to compete in local / regional tournaments?
Which schools seem to have the most successful entrants?
For the ones that don't, why don't they encourage it?
Which schools are considered "belt mills" and which ones are really teaching good techniques and skills?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Where are located. I take my 2 boys to Capitol Hill Martial Arts. ItS on the Hill.

[Anonymous]

I am not asking about location so much as wanting to get a sense of how each of the local schools approaches competition.

[Anonymous]

My kids do Jhoon Rhee TKD in Arlington. They organize 2 tournaments each year with the other NoVA Jhoon Rhee schools and they encourage all of the kids to compete, starting with the 4-6 year olds. My kids are still little so at that age the competition is very friendly and fun. However, the older black belts seem quite competitive. I don't know whether or not they encourage the older kids to go to outside tournaments, but it is worth asking them. I believe that the two owners of this studio grew up locally and competed/won many championships so they could direct you I am sure. We are very happy with this school -- they are very flexible, professional, all of the instructors are great and work well with the kids and seem to be teaching good techniques... even to the little kids.

[Anonymous]

Based on what little I've seen, it seems each school generally runs its own tournament, and once in a while they will encourage their students to attend another school's tournament.

I think Flying Kick used to put a lot of effort into training kids for regional/national tournaments but it was a lot of effort for everyone involved and my impression is that both sides burned out a little on it.

I think any school that tells you your kid can get a black belt in 2-3 years is probably a belt mill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids do Jhoon Rhee TKD in Arlington. They organize 2 tournaments each year with the other NoVA Jhoon Rhee schools and they encourage all of the kids to compete, starting with the 4-6 year olds. My kids are still little so at that age the competition is very friendly and fun. However, the older black belts seem quite competitive. I don't know whether or not they encourage the older kids to go to outside tournaments, but it is worth asking them. I believe that the two owners of this studio grew up locally and competed/won many championships so they could direct you I am sure. We are very happy with this school -- they are very flexible, professional, all of the instructors are great and work well with the kids and seem to be teaching good techniques... even to the little kids.

I agree with this poster but clarify that their tournaments include other schools, not just Jhoon Rhee. I think there were something like 13 schools at the last tournament. There is not a huge emphasis on competing, at least not so far (and my child is a high intermediate belt).